Cycle



" Feb. 27, 1940. J ussy 2,191,663

CYCLE Filed Feb.. 19, 1938 Patented Feb. 27, 1940 PTENT OFFICE CYCLE Jacques Auguste Hussy, Geneva, Switzerland Application February 19, 1938, Serial No. 191,530 In Switzerland February 25, 1937 1 Claim. (01. 280-279) This invention relates -to cycles, and more particularly to a steering mechanism for a motorfcycle, bicycle or tricycle.

It is an object offithe invention to provide a 6' steering mechanism for a motor or other cycle of improved construction, whereby the rigidity of themechanism is increased, any distortion of the front wheel relative to the frame of the cycle avoided, the control of the steeringfacilitated and lateral unstability of the steering stem prevented, while at thesame time providing an aerodynamic enclosure of the entire mechanism.

The accompanying drawing illustrates a practical embodiment of the invention. 15 Figure 1 is an elevation of a motor-cycle according to the invention. 1

Figure 2 is a section through the steering mechanism along the line 22 in Fig. 1.

Figures 3 and 4 show details of the steering 20 mechanism.

The vehicle frame carries a relatively stationary disk I having "an extension 2 which is rigidly secured at. the point 3 to the frame 4 of the motor-cycle. The disk I is-traversed by a rela- 25 tively rotatable stem 5 and a roller bearing 6 is interposed between the stem 5 and the disk I. The stem 5 carries a forked sleeve I which is coaxial'with the stem. Two friction disks 8 and 9- are disposed on either side of the disk I and 30 arranged to turn with the sleeve 1 and the stem 5, but are movable in axial direction. A spring Ill is enclosed in a chamber l I formedbetween an axially movable cup I2 and a cover member I3 which isfixed to the sleeve 1 by a nut I4 35 screwing on the end ofthe stem 5. The spring I constantly applies the friction disks 8 and. 9 against the stationary disk I.

Within the sleeve 1 can slide a. fork member I which is connected as usual to the axle of the 40 front wheel. This fork is composed of a plunger between a partition 2| of the sleeve I and the plunger I6. The two rods I'I, penetrate guide pieces 22 secured to the lower part of the forked portion of the sleeve'I.

The handle-bar 23 is fixed to a strap 24 sur- 6 rounding the sleeve I and rigidwith it.- The sleeve 1 is provided with an opening 25 through which penetrates the arm 2 of the disk I, so as to permit rotation of the sleeve relative to the" disk and to its arm.

When the driver acts on the guide-bar, the sleeve 1, stem 5 and fork I6 turn with the front wheel relative to the disk I and to the frameof the cycle. The fork I6 can axially slide relative to the sleeve against the action of the spring 1. which absorbs the shocks to which the front wheel is subjected when driving on a road. Owing to the spring I0 applying the friction disks 8 and 9 against the disk I, a certain effort must be exerted to turn the sleeve 1. 20

The frame 4 can be of any conventional type used in motor-cycles. In the represented example, the rear part 26 of the frame is hingedly connected to the front part 21 about an axis-28.

At the points 28, 29, 30, 3|, 32 and 3, sheet metal pieces can be screwed to the frame members,

whereby cycle bodies of any desired shape can be obtained.

I claim: I 1

In a cycle steering mechanism, the combination with'a frame, of an inclined supporting disk rigid with said frame and forming the only support of said mechanism, a forked outer sleeve divided by a transverse partition intoan upper part mounted to rotate on said disk and a lower part 35 adapted to receive the front wheel carrying fork, a central stem solid with said partition and extending axially therefrom into the upper part of the sleeve to traverse said supporting disk, a roller bearing interposed between said stem and disk, spring pressed friction rings disposed'on said stem on eitherside of said supporting disk and adapted to rotate with said stem, a guide bar rigid with said sleeve, and spring means for constantly applying said friction rings and. sup- 4.5 porting disk against one another.

JACQUES AUGUSTE HUSSY. 

